A fine English made quarter striking Bracket clock or Table Clock. The case is finished in black lacquer and decorated with applied brass castings. The brass composite dial and three train movement are excellent quality. 219046.
Four applied cast brass ogee bracket feet are mounted to the bottom of this case. They are decoratively formed and elevated the cabinet off the table surface. The base molding is well-formed and steps back slightly to support the main body of the case. The front corners are inset and fitted with fully turned brass fluted columns. These are secured in brass capitals. The upper capitals are a Corinthian form. These two columns visually support the molded arch at the top of the case. Four decorative brass cast brass finials are mounted on the four case corners. Between the columns is an arched door that is trimmed with a brass mask and glass. The sides of this case feature arched cutouts. These are fitted with decorative pierced brass screens that are backed with red-colored silk. This attractive design feature serves as a sound fret. Its purpose is to allow the sounds that the movement produces to escape the interior of the case. Mounted above the sound frets are brass-carrying handles. The back of the case is also fitted with an arched door. This door is fitted with glass and provides one with a view of the movement. All of the brass decorations have been polished and protected with a light lacquer finish.
This fusee-powered "Victorian Chimer" is a three-train design. It is designed to be a quarter-striking clock. However, one can turn the striking portion of the movement on and off as desired. If you choose to set the clock up to strike, you can have it strike just the hours. The hours are struck on a large coil gong mounted behind the movement. If you choose to have it strike the quarter hours, the clock will strike each quarter hour on a nest of eight graduated and nested bells. These are mounted above the clockworks. The operator can choose one of two tunes with a selector hand located in the arch of the dial. You have the choice of having it strike the Westminster chiming sequence, which was made famous by the Parliament clock in London. You also have the option of having it strike an eight-bell arrangement. Both tunes are progressive. This large movement is designed to run for eight days on a full wind. Two large plates are supported by traditionally shaped brass pillars or posts. The back plate on this example is fully engraved. The engraving decoration also extends to the pendulum bob as well. The gearing is brass, and the pinions are steel. It incorporates a fusee cone in each train, so the power is equalized over the period of the run. This movement is fitted with a rack and snail striking system. All in all, it is of excellent quality.
The dial is brass and is constructed from a brass sheet fitted with several decorative elements. The four cast corner spandrels are applied to the dial and frame the applied time ring. This time ring has been finished in a silver wash. This is formatted with large Roman-style hour numerals. A closed minute ring separates the Arabic-style five-minute markers from the hour positions. The inside surface area of the time ring has been textured to provide better contrast between the dial and the black steel hour and minute hands. Additional spandrels are located in the arch of the dial. These are also used to frame the two additional silver rings situated there. The one on the left is the silent / strike indicator or shut-off. To the right of this is the tune selector. Your choice is Westminster chimes or Chime on eight bells.
This clock measures 18 inches tall to the top of the central finial. This clock is 15.25 inches wide and 9 inches deep at the feet. This fine example was made circa 1890.
Inventory number 219046.